EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) - Two overtimes, 318 points, 34 lead changes, 21 ties and a dramatic showdown between two of the best point guards in the game.

The Phoenix Suns beat the New Jersey 161-157 on Thursday night in a game that was as good as it gets in the NBA.

"I think we can go home and turn on Classic NBA," Suns coach Mike D'Antoni said. "It will be on there already. That's the best game I have ever seen."

Steve Nash scored nine of his career-high 42 points in the second overtime and Boris Diaw hit a go-ahead shot in the lane with 14 seconds left to lead the Suns to their eighth straight victory in the shootout that matched the NBA's fourth-highest points total.

The classic also saw Nets point guard Jason Kidd tie Wilt Chamberlain for third place with 78 career triple-doubles. Kidd finished with 38 points, 14 rebounds and 14 assists, but the point guard dribbled the ball off his foot with 10 seconds left, costing the Nets a chance to tie.

"It was a crazy game," said Nash, who also had 13 assists in almost 48 minutes. "They decided to run with us tonight. Both teams deserved to win. We were lucky to come out on top."

Actually, the Suns dodged two bullets. Nash had to hit a remarkable 3-pointer at the end of regulation to force the overtime and then Kidd had a shot at the end of the first overtime go halfway down and fall out.

"For the NBA it was one of those games they would like to see more often," Kidd said. "You know, guys were playing hard. It was a clean game, a lot of points, but it came down the last couple of minutes of each quarter, and it probably will be a classic."

Shawn Marion added 33 points, Raja Bell had 24 and Amare Stoudemire 23 for the Suns, who made an NBA season-high 17 3-pointers, including Nash's big one that tied the game at 133.

Vince Carter had 31 points before fouling out with 4.8 seconds left in regulation with the Nets ahead by three points. He committed the foul thinking he only had four and that the foul would prevent Phoenix from attempting a game tying 3-pointer.

Richard Jefferson scored 25 points for the Nets. Marcus Williams added 18 for New Jersey, which set a team-record for points in a game.

The wide-open game featured 224 shots, 27 three-pointers, 57 fouls and a remarkably low 29 total turnovers.

The last tie came at 157 with 33.6 seconds to play when Kidd capped a 6-0 run with a three-point play. Nash helped put Phoenix in front with his 13th and final assist, a little pass to Diaw for a short shot in lane for a 159-157 lead.

After a timeout, Kidd dribbled the ball into the forecourt and tried to cut to his right at the top of the circle. The ball bounced off his foot and Leandro Barbosa picked it up with 9.9 seconds to play.

After a 20-second timeout, Diaw almost threw the inbounds pass away. Nash recovered and was fouled, hitting both free throws with 4 seconds to go for a 161-157 lead.

Kidd missed a 3-pointer with about 3 seconds to go and the Nets dejectedly walked off the court despite breaking their previous record for points in a game, 148 against Golden State in 1992.

Kidd had a chance to win the game at the end of the first overtime but his off-balance fadeaway jumper from the elbow went halfway down and popped out, sending the game to the second overtime. The popout also spoiled a Nets' celebration that saw Carter run off the bench and then hold his head in disbelief.

The Nets were seemingly on the verge of victory in regulation when Kidd hit two free throws with 4.4 seconds to play to give New Jersey a 133-130 lead.

After Phoenix called its final timeout, Nash came off a foul-line screen by Kurt Thomas, caught an inbounds pass from Diaw, squared his shoulder and nailed a tying 3-pointer.

The fourth quarter alone was wild. There were 17 lead changes and eight ties.

When Kidd's triple double was announced at the Continental Airlines Arena at the end of a time out midway through the fourth quarter, the crowd cheered and Nash walked up to Kidd and patted his former teammate on the head.

Notes
Detroit and Denver played the highest-scoring game in NBA history in February 1983, with the Pistons beating the Nuggets 186-184 in three overtimes. ... Nets coach Lawrence Frank was unhappy with a couple of calls and got hit with a technical foul in the third quarter. ... Nash and Nets C Mikki Moore were called for technicals after a little fourth-quarter flareup. ... Nets G Eddie House had 18 points in his third game of the season. He missed the first 15 games because of knee surgery. ... Nets are 0-6 at home when they trail entering the fourth quarter. ... Denver had the previous high this season with 140 points against Golden State on Nov. 24.

OrangeShadow

12-08-2006 12:08 PM

im not really an NBA fan but i tuned in to that game during the 4th quarter and loved it